Its What You Don't Know You Don't Know

New Member

It's not what you know
It's not what you don't know
It's what you don't know you don't know
That can ruin your day

Over the years I have visited numerous Forum sites seeking answers and help. I noticed many have a sticky at the top of the Home Page and Search Result Page to help the forum infants help themselves, if they will read it. As I have just registered here, I am asking if this is something that has already been given consideration? Valuable or not?

Some infant behavior I have observed is "Help Me" as a heading; non-descriptive. Expecting someone else to do all their research for them; although the forum search engine does seem to find nothing or everything. Not including the steps already tried to remedy their issue; posting "tried that" repeatedly wastes valuable time. No system details.

I think the issue is the infants won't know what they don't know unless someone tries to explain it to them. There will always be those who just don't get it. We try to help them anyway. As new Windows move to retail, those who seek help will have vastly varying abilities. Isn't it true that the infants will be the most difficult to help, but are also those who most need our help?

My Computer

New Member

Its OK, really. The Misses is an English major and has for the past 30 or so years been correcting my spelling and grammar. She just can't be looking over my shoulder all the time. I appreciate someone who catches those things and is willing to speak up!

Banned

It's not what you know
It's not what you don't know
It's what you don't know you don't know
That can ruin your day

Over the years I have visited numerous Forum sites seeking answers and help. I noticed many have a sticky at the top of the Home Page and Search Result Page to help the forum infants help themselves, if they will read it. As I have just registered here, I am asking if this is something that has already been given consideration? Valuable or not?

Some infant behavior I have observed is "Help Me" as a heading; non-descriptive. Expecting someone else to do all their research for them; although the forum search engine does seem to find nothing or everything. Not including the steps already tried to remedy their issue; posting "tried that" repeatedly wastes valuable time. No system details.

I think the issue is the infants won't know what they don't know unless someone tries to explain it to them. There will always be those who just don't get it. We try to help them anyway. As new Windows move to retail, those who seek help will have vastly varying abilities. Isn't it true that the infants will be the most difficult to help, but are also those who most need our help?

My Computer

Team Member

What looks simple to some may be completely incomprehensible to others. But, they do need to start somewhere. To help people in these types of forums they need to have at least some basics and the willingness to try to learn on their own.
The fix it for me crowd should try another venue.

These forums are based on giving, learning and finding answers when you need a little help.

New Member

What looks simple to some may be completely incomprehensible to others. But, they do need to start somewhere. To help people in these types of forums they need to have at least some basics and the willingness to try to learn on their own.
The fix it for me crowd should try another venue.

These forums are based on giving, learning and finding answers when you need a little help.

New Member

Except that at one time you were an infant. Were you expected to act like an adult? work like an adult? talk like an adult? reason like an adult? No ... not at all ... none of us were. We received special treatment, mothered and fathered, until we were ready to strike out on our own. There is no shame attached to having been an infant. We all start at the same place, everything we know, we learned. Like if you can read this, you should thank a teacher.

My Computer

My Google-Fu is strong

It's not what you know
It's not what you don't know
It's what you don't know you don't know
That can ruin your day

Over the years I have visited numerous Forum sites seeking answers and help. I noticed many have a sticky at the top of the Home Page and Search Result Page to help the forum infants help themselves, if they will read it. As I have just registered here, I am asking if this is something that has already been given consideration? Valuable or not?

Some infant behavior I have observed is "Help Me" as a heading; non-descriptive. Expecting someone else to do all their research for them; although the forum search engine does seem to find nothing or everything. Not including the steps already tried to remedy their issue; posting "tried that" repeatedly wastes valuable time. No system details.

I think the issue is the infants won't know what they don't know unless someone tries to explain it to them. There will always be those who just don't get it. We try to help them anyway. As new Windows move to retail, those who seek help will have vastly varying abilities. Isn't it true that the infants will be the most difficult to help, but are also those who most need our help?

many people aren't aware of proper forum etiquette. they are also unaware of how to properly ask for help, or how to properly search it out on there own. most of the help i provide to other users comes from a quick google search that would take someone that knew how to properly use a search engine seconds to find. you know this when you volunteer your services. i really dont mind. i have a lot of free time on my hands. with my profession i spend most days sitting around the house and on rare occasion i'll get a call telling me to meet the copter and prepare for a dive. this helps keep boredom from driving me insane.

New Member

many people aren't aware of proper forum etiquette. they are also unaware of how to properly ask for help, or how to properly search it out on there own. most of the help i provide to other users comes from a quick google search that would take someone that knew how to properly use a search engine seconds to find. you know this when you volunteer your services. i really dont mind. i have a lot of free time on my hands. with my profession i spend most days sitting around the house and on rare occasion i'll get a call telling me to meet the copter and prepare for a dive. this helps keep boredom from driving me insane.

My Computer

Gadget Mad Granny.

I suppose another thing to remember is that when the "infant", I like that makes me feel young again, first comes to a forum like this they're in a panic because something is not doing what it's supposed to do and they don't know what to do.

We've probably all felt that way at some time, I know I still do, so having someone who can go at a baby steps pace will help them to feel a lot better and probably want to learn more after they have their problem solved.

New Member

I suppose another thing to remember is that when the "infant", I like that makes me feel young again, first comes to a forum like this they're in a panic because something is not doing what it's supposed to do and they don't know what to do.

We've probably all felt that way at some time, I know I still do, so having someone who can go at a baby steps pace will help them to feel a lot better and probably want to learn more after they have their problem solved.